Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean
@mitchellab.bsky.social
Informed opinion columnist. Acerbic UofC Alum, Schrodinger’s politics, “bi-conceptual”; may piss everyone off at some point. WomenOfABpoli on Substack. Biased against false statements & equivalencies. Canadian-Albertan political commentator.
Reposted by Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean
It was a pleasure meeting with Minister
@eleanorolszewski.bsky.social for our first discussion about our shared commitment to delivering for Edmontonians - building more homes, protecting local jobs, empowering vibrant and inclusive communities, and making our city safer and stronger.
#yeg #yegcc
@eleanorolszewski.bsky.social for our first discussion about our shared commitment to delivering for Edmontonians - building more homes, protecting local jobs, empowering vibrant and inclusive communities, and making our city safer and stronger.
#yeg #yegcc
November 11, 2025 at 4:45 AM
It was a pleasure meeting with Minister
@eleanorolszewski.bsky.social for our first discussion about our shared commitment to delivering for Edmontonians - building more homes, protecting local jobs, empowering vibrant and inclusive communities, and making our city safer and stronger.
#yeg #yegcc
@eleanorolszewski.bsky.social for our first discussion about our shared commitment to delivering for Edmontonians - building more homes, protecting local jobs, empowering vibrant and inclusive communities, and making our city safer and stronger.
#yeg #yegcc
Reposted by Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean
Sigh. I took down my Senate Instagram account a few months ago. A mistake, perhaps, since there is now a fake Insta account pretending to be me - and well meaning but confused folks are tagging it. If you are still on Instagram, could you please do me a favour and report it as a fraud?
November 11, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Sigh. I took down my Senate Instagram account a few months ago. A mistake, perhaps, since there is now a fake Insta account pretending to be me - and well meaning but confused folks are tagging it. If you are still on Instagram, could you please do me a favour and report it as a fraud?
Reposted by Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean
Interesting thread. I grew up in 1970s Edmonton in an affluent neighbourhood. But in the winter, everyone ate canned fruit, because fresh fruit wasn’t readily available. Mandarin oranges at Christmas were a huge treat.
It is genuinely hard for most people to grasp how poor the past was.
November 10, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Interesting thread. I grew up in 1970s Edmonton in an affluent neighbourhood. But in the winter, everyone ate canned fruit, because fresh fruit wasn’t readily available. Mandarin oranges at Christmas were a huge treat.
Reposted by Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean
Funny you should ask, @aaronwherry.bsky.social.
Check out our brand new book on the topic: partyloyalty.ca
Check out our brand new book on the topic: partyloyalty.ca
November 11, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Funny you should ask, @aaronwherry.bsky.social.
Check out our brand new book on the topic: partyloyalty.ca
Check out our brand new book on the topic: partyloyalty.ca
Reposted by Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean
Reposted by Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean
This week on ‘Whatever This Is’ we unpack why Danielle Smith is running Alberta like a cosplay authoritarian because she’s too weak to govern like a Premier.
We break down her fake “strongman” act, her panic over recall laws, and what Albertans can do to push back.
Follow for more #abpoli #ableg
We break down her fake “strongman” act, her panic over recall laws, and what Albertans can do to push back.
Follow for more #abpoli #ableg
November 9, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Reposted by Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean
By using s33 pre-emptively, the UCP is not simply admitting that their laws are breaching Charter rights. (Governments have done that before.)
By foregoing judicial review, they are further admitting that their laws cannot be justified in a democratic society.
open.substack.com/pub/drjaredw...
By foregoing judicial review, they are further admitting that their laws cannot be justified in a democratic society.
open.substack.com/pub/drjaredw...
November 10, 2025 at 2:32 AM
By using s33 pre-emptively, the UCP is not simply admitting that their laws are breaching Charter rights. (Governments have done that before.)
By foregoing judicial review, they are further admitting that their laws cannot be justified in a democratic society.
open.substack.com/pub/drjaredw...
By foregoing judicial review, they are further admitting that their laws cannot be justified in a democratic society.
open.substack.com/pub/drjaredw...
Reposted by Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean
Yesterday, I had the honour of visiting Guthrie School, at CFB Edmonton. I spoke to a class of Grade 6 students about the Senate - and then laid a wreath at a Remembrance Day assembly. Pretty much every child at the school has at least one parent in the CAF; Remembrance Day hits differently here.
November 8, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Yesterday, I had the honour of visiting Guthrie School, at CFB Edmonton. I spoke to a class of Grade 6 students about the Senate - and then laid a wreath at a Remembrance Day assembly. Pretty much every child at the school has at least one parent in the CAF; Remembrance Day hits differently here.
Reposted by Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean
The Toronto Star is running a lengthy excerpt from our latest book today.
We go behind the scenes of hundreds of party defections and expulsions, revealing the anatomy of party (dis)loyalty in Canada.
We go behind the scenes of hundreds of party defections and expulsions, revealing the anatomy of party (dis)loyalty in Canada.
Read an excerpt of our new book, No I in Team: Party Loyalty in Canadian Politics, in today's Toronto Star. (Gift link in comments.)
www.thestar.com/news/insight...
www.thestar.com/news/insight...
‘Would you like to be a cabinet minister?’ The delicate, secretive business of politicians crossing the floor
Partisan actors often notice when a member of a different caucus seems umcomfortable, and possibly amenable to recruiting. But the next steps are tricky, a new book explains.
www.thestar.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:54 PM
The Toronto Star is running a lengthy excerpt from our latest book today.
We go behind the scenes of hundreds of party defections and expulsions, revealing the anatomy of party (dis)loyalty in Canada.
We go behind the scenes of hundreds of party defections and expulsions, revealing the anatomy of party (dis)loyalty in Canada.
Reposted by Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean
We studied over 300 party defections in Canada since 1980 for our new book (partyloyalty.ca).
I reviewed a lot of resignation letters.
Between the lines, a few read a lot like this one.
I reviewed a lot of resignation letters.
Between the lines, a few read a lot like this one.
November 8, 2025 at 3:29 AM
We studied over 300 party defections in Canada since 1980 for our new book (partyloyalty.ca).
I reviewed a lot of resignation letters.
Between the lines, a few read a lot like this one.
I reviewed a lot of resignation letters.
Between the lines, a few read a lot like this one.
Reposted by Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean
There were many numbers shared during the Alberta teacher strike about the cost of contract proposals. But harder to find how much the govt planned to spend hiring new teachers and EAs.
The education minister says some of the $ to hire 3000 new Ts is money already in the 2025 budget #AbLeg #AbEd
The education minister says some of the $ to hire 3000 new Ts is money already in the 2025 budget #AbLeg #AbEd
Alberta government committee has $400M over 3 years to resolve class size and complexity problems | CBC News
The Alberta government plans to use $400 million over the next three years — plus spending already earmarked in its existing budget documents — to pay for more teachers, educational assistants and bet...
www.cbc.ca
November 8, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Reposted by Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean
Smith will chair yet another task force.
No topic is beyond her reach and expertise.
No minister is worth her trust.
No topic is beyond her reach and expertise.
No minister is worth her trust.
Teachers left off Alberta's class size and complexity task force
edmontonsun.com/news/local-n...
edmontonsun.com/news/local-n...
Teachers left off Alberta's class size and complexity task force
"We want to be able to put a cabinet committee structure in place that is going to be able to make decisions over multiple years."
edmontonsun.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Smith will chair yet another task force.
No topic is beyond her reach and expertise.
No minister is worth her trust.
No topic is beyond her reach and expertise.
No minister is worth her trust.
I got the t-shirt.
November 7, 2025 at 11:44 PM
I got the t-shirt.
Reposted by Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean
5 years ago today
November 7, 2025 at 4:30 PM
5 years ago today
Reposted by Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean
Cheers Dreeshen...thanks for coming out....
November 7, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Cheers Dreeshen...thanks for coming out....
Reposted by Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean
Our license plates should read The Land of Syphilis & Measles”
The New York Times 👇
The New York Times 👇
November 7, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Our license plates should read The Land of Syphilis & Measles”
The New York Times 👇
The New York Times 👇
Reposted by Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean
Just a thought:
If UCP MLAs put half as much public effort into asking the premier's office hard questions about Bill 2 as they're putting into tone-policing critics of their own use of the notwithstanding clause, we wouldn't be in this spot in the first place.
If UCP MLAs put half as much public effort into asking the premier's office hard questions about Bill 2 as they're putting into tone-policing critics of their own use of the notwithstanding clause, we wouldn't be in this spot in the first place.
November 6, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Just a thought:
If UCP MLAs put half as much public effort into asking the premier's office hard questions about Bill 2 as they're putting into tone-policing critics of their own use of the notwithstanding clause, we wouldn't be in this spot in the first place.
If UCP MLAs put half as much public effort into asking the premier's office hard questions about Bill 2 as they're putting into tone-policing critics of their own use of the notwithstanding clause, we wouldn't be in this spot in the first place.
Reposted by Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean
Bravo, @paulisci.bsky.social
A List of Things Said to Have Been Ruined by Women
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November 6, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Bravo, @paulisci.bsky.social
Reposted by Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean
A List of Things Said to Have Been Ruined by Women
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November 6, 2025 at 8:43 PM
A List of Things Said to Have Been Ruined by Women
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Moments away from the final #ableg Question Period this week, aaaaaand they're out for a week before returning again on the 17th.
#abpoli
#abpoli
a teddy bear mascot is standing in front of a sign that says @lfg
ALT: a teddy bear mascot is standing in front of a sign that says @lfg
media.tenor.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Reposted by Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean
A 34-year-old as a politician: My god he's like a baby. It's like they just elected an infant to be their mayor.
A 34-year-old as an athlete: You have to admire the bravery of him attempting that dunk, knowing full well the grim reaper is right behind him.
A 34-year-old as an athlete: You have to admire the bravery of him attempting that dunk, knowing full well the grim reaper is right behind him.
November 5, 2025 at 5:45 AM
A 34-year-old as a politician: My god he's like a baby. It's like they just elected an infant to be their mayor.
A 34-year-old as an athlete: You have to admire the bravery of him attempting that dunk, knowing full well the grim reaper is right behind him.
A 34-year-old as an athlete: You have to admire the bravery of him attempting that dunk, knowing full well the grim reaper is right behind him.
Reposted by Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean
This is why they are doing things like shutting down Teen Vogue
People fucking hate this guy. They fucking hate ICE. They fucking hate how much power he has. He is at 63% overall disapproval to 37% approval. That's lower than their poll after January 6th. And this poll was done before he started intentionally starving people. I wish our media would reflect this.
November 3, 2025 at 9:23 PM
This is why they are doing things like shutting down Teen Vogue
Reposted by Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean
"Do not do unto others as you would not have them do unto you, the rest is commentary".
“If you wouldn’t support the opposition doing it, you shouldn’t be doing it. It’s the most basic and fundamental thing we learn as humans. “How do you like it when it happens to you?” No? You don’t? Then don’t do it to someone else.”
#ableg #abpoli
open.substack.com/pub/womenofa...
#ableg #abpoli
open.substack.com/pub/womenofa...
Anti-NDP legislation not strong enough to protect UCP
What did they expect? Honestly; someone needs a time out.
open.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:07 PM
"Do not do unto others as you would not have them do unto you, the rest is commentary".
Reposted by Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean
The Recall Act -- the UCP's legislation aimed at removing politicians not "conservative enough" -- might end up biting them in the ass. Admit it: that would be GLORIOUS AF 😅!
From @mitchellab.bsky.social:
open.substack.com/pub/womenofa...
#ableg
From @mitchellab.bsky.social:
open.substack.com/pub/womenofa...
#ableg
Anti-NDP legislation not strong enough to protect UCP
What did they expect? Honestly; someone needs a time out.
open.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:34 PM
The Recall Act -- the UCP's legislation aimed at removing politicians not "conservative enough" -- might end up biting them in the ass. Admit it: that would be GLORIOUS AF 😅!
From @mitchellab.bsky.social:
open.substack.com/pub/womenofa...
#ableg
From @mitchellab.bsky.social:
open.substack.com/pub/womenofa...
#ableg
Reposted by Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean
'In 2012, Canadian #oil and #gas created 38 direct jobs for every 1,000 barrels per day of production.
By 2023, that number fell to 22 jobs.’
#TransformEnergy & create good, clean future proofed jobs & prosperity for workers.
#TheFutureIsElectric #CdnPoli #AbPoli
By 2023, that number fell to 22 jobs.’
#TransformEnergy & create good, clean future proofed jobs & prosperity for workers.
#TheFutureIsElectric #CdnPoli #AbPoli
November 6, 2025 at 6:31 AM
'In 2012, Canadian #oil and #gas created 38 direct jobs for every 1,000 barrels per day of production.
By 2023, that number fell to 22 jobs.’
#TransformEnergy & create good, clean future proofed jobs & prosperity for workers.
#TheFutureIsElectric #CdnPoli #AbPoli
By 2023, that number fell to 22 jobs.’
#TransformEnergy & create good, clean future proofed jobs & prosperity for workers.
#TheFutureIsElectric #CdnPoli #AbPoli